The autobiography of Mary Somerville, the author and scientist popularly deemed "The Queen of Nineteenth-Century Science", is a lively and candid account of a gifted and intelligent woman succeeding against the odds.
Born in the late 18th century and demonstrating intellect from an early age, Mary Somerville was born to a distinguished family: the Fairfaxes. Despite her father's high rank in the Royal Navy, his pay was insufficient to meet costs, and the young Mary for a time helped her mother in growing vegetables. Appalled at finding his bright daughter put to such work, Mary's father managed to send her to school to begin formal education.
In short order, Mary excelled at writing, mathematics, geometry and music. She devoured books on all of these subjects, and would return to her hometown of Edinburgh each winter knowing more of science. Emerging from university with plaudits, it was only after Mary's first husband Samuel Grieg tragically perished that she could afford to resume her studies in the University of Edinburgh.
As an adult, Mary began to experiment with light and magnetism, recording her findings meticulously in her books and papers. Also avidly interested in the astronomy of the solar system, she made important findings regarding the mathematics of the planet's movements, and did much to publicize and revive interest in this and other areas of study.
An experienced author, Mary's account of her own life and accomplishments are written clearly but accessibly. She is frank about her hardships and shortcomings, but ever keen to explain the importance of science and education. As a woman, she once noted that laws in Britain are adverse to her gender; the early chapters of this autobiography reveal the difficulties Mary had in obtaining a good education.
Ultimately however, Mary Somerville's story is an uplifting one: a gifted and able woman gaining due recognition and success in a field and in an era where men were dominant.
